Mental Or Physical Reactions

In the foregoing it has been my endeavor to explain, as well as I
can, physical reflexes, their causes and variations; also to give a
hint regarding the diseases brought on from overwork and
underwork.

Nervous reactions, when expressed in the highest order, are mental
or physical. All ideas, as well as all movements, have an external
origin.

The spiritualistic school will not agree that our psychical nature
is built from sense-impression, and that, for us to learn or know
anything, we must have sensation. Our special senses are educated by
external impressions. Without external stimulation, or without the
sense-perception to recognize external impressions, we remain in
ignorance--a state of ignorance known as idiocy.

Mind-potentiality evolves as the ages roll on. We do not inherit
mind or innate ideas; we do inherit potentiality--an aptitude to
understand. Probably the most potent factor in this inheritance is
power of attention. With mental alertness a child will gather
knowledge so rapidly that to dull pupils it will appear as though it
must have inherited its knowledge.

The study habit, when once formed, is a great help to the dull
mind.

Mind can never come into its own until man ceases to build physical
disease. The mind of a sick man is handicapped. Habits that build
disease of the body affect the mind also.

It is common knowledge that the character and type of intelligence
and capacity for work are under the influence of various diseases. For
instance: A deranged liver causes pessimism. Liver and stomach
derangements cause sadness and the so-called
neurasthenia. Genito-urinary affections produce irritability,
jealousy, and a desire for revenge. Hypochondria and self-destruction
are among the potential effects of venereal derangements. Granular
inflammation and stricture of the urethra create irritability.

Delirium in fevers and drunkenness is a well-known phenomenon.

Psychical impressions are reflected on the body. Fear envy, and
jealousy provoke excessive kidney, bowel, and heart action. Digestion
is very seriously affected by worry. fear, or an unsatisfied state of
the mind.

Nervous Reactions In The Normal State

In the normal state reactions vary; the conditions also differ.

Species

The higher the species, the more powerful the reactions. Shocks,
stimulations, or irritations which cause little or no response in
animals, produce suffering and sometimes fainting in man. Shock seldom
occurs in animals; when it does, it is always due to violent
causes. This being true, why should vivisection throw any light on the
management of man's diseases?